Sermons

Dear Friends,

Change begins with a change of mind. We have many examples in the Gospel of religious people being closed minded. It is a terrible grief to God when we are close-minded to Jesus.
Let me review the incredible scene from the gospel of Mathew.

Mat 12:9-14 Departing from there, He went into their synagogue. 10 And a man was there whose hand was withered. And they questioned Jesus, asking, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”–so that they might accuse Him. 11 And He said to them, “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.
Mat 12:15-24 But Jesus, aware of this, withdrew from there. Many followed Him, and He healed them all, 16 and warned them not to tell who He was. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: 18 “BEHOLD, MY SERVANT WHOM I HAVE CHOSEN; MY BELOVED IN WHOM MY SOUL is WELL-PLEASED; I WILL PUT MY SPIRIT UPON HIM, AND HE SHALL PROCLAIM JUSTICE TO THE GENTILES. 19 “HE WILL NOT QUARREL, NOR CRY OUT; NOR WILL ANYONE HEAR HIS VOICE IN THE STREETS. 20 “A BATTERED REED HE WILL NOT BREAK OFF, AND A SMOLDERING WICK HE WILL NOT PUT OUT UNTIL HE LEADS JUSTICE TO VICTORY. 21 “AND IN HIS NAME THE GENTILES WILL HOPE.” 22   Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed him so that the mute man spoke and saw. 23 All the crowds were amazed, and were saying, “This man cannot be the Son of David, can he?” 24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “This man casts out demons only by Beelzebul the ruler of the demons.”

It is astounding how far we will go to hold onto our old thinking even in the face of Gods revelation. Real repentance means having your way of thinking and looking at things changed by God.

THIS CHANGE IS TO CONTINUE TO TRANSFORM YOU ENTIRELY
1 Th 5:23-24 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.
But this transformation of mind will contribute to your inward life of peace.
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
Php 4:9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

• PLEASE PRAYERFULLY CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND SCRIPTURES.
• PLAN TO ATTEND A SMALL GROUP AS WELL AS A PREACHING SERVICE
• BE SURE TO INVITE SOMEONE TO COME WITH YOU.
• PLEASE PRAY FOR ME AND ALL THOSE WHO ARE SERVING TO HELP YOU GROW.

Blessings,
Joe

• WHAT CONTRIBUTES TO CLOSE-MINDEDNESS?
• HOW CAN BAD RELIGION LEAD TO CLOSE-MINDEDNESS?

Mat 12:12-14 “How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! So then, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then He *said to the man, “Stretch out your hand!” He stretched it out, and it was restored to normal, like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.

• WHAT DOES GOD DO TO OPEN OUR MINDS TO HIM?

Eph 4:20-24 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

Col 3:10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him–

Luk 24:31-32 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He vanished from their sight. 32They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”

• CAN YOU EXPLAIN THE DOCTRINE OF ILLUMINATION?

Luke 24:32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?”

• HOW CAN OUR MINDS BE TURNED AWAY FROM A SIMPLE LOVE FOR JESUS BY RELIGION?

2 Co 11:2-4 For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. 3 But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. 4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully.

• WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING CONFORMED AND TRANSFORMED?

Rom 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

• WHAT ARE WAYS YOU CAN SET YOUR MIND ON WHAT GOD WANTS?

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything, worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

Psa 119:11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

• HOW CAN WE PRAY FOR YOU PERSONALLY?